The Last Word: A Spellman Novel

After Izabel “Izzy” Spellman’s hostile takeover of her family’s private investigation company, she learns, as Henry IV does, that “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” And it’s all thanks to her client and benefactor, the super-rich Edward Slayter. And now that she owes Edward big-time for the buyout of her siblings, she’s pretty much at his beck and call. Then it appears that Izzy has been embezzling from said Mr. Slayter and is being questioned pretty regularly by the FBI. And on the home front, Izzy has the usual problems with her parental unit and siblings. Sister Rae is back in the business – or is she? Is she doing PI work or something else? And what’s up with Izzy’s parents? They take “business casual” to an alarming degree, and appear to be having some kind of falling out. And living in the basement of her brother David’s home brings her our heroine into too-frequent contact with Sydney, the Niece from Hell, who’s only three years old. Plus her ex-boyfriend appears to be headed to the altar, closing a door Izzy thought was still slightly ajar. A typical book in this series is a textbook case of a family’s putting the fun in dysfunctional. But there’s less fun than usual starting about 2/3 of the way through the book with a plot twist that I could have done without. Not that bad things can’t happen in funny books, but it’s so out of characters for a series I regard an escape from reality that I felt disappointed. It looks as if there’s going to be a seismic shift in this series; I read that the author has said that The Last Word will be the last book she writes in Isabel’s voice. I’m not sure about whether that’s a good idea or not, but I will give the next book in the series a chance. I hope the author gets back on track and remembers she’s writing something that’s meant to be entertaining.

I dearly love the Spellmans, so I really hope this isn't the last we hear from them. Although if it is indeed The Last Word, it was a good way to finish.

I have both loved and not loved every book in this series, including this one. I loved the humour and the characters and the snark. The only books on earth where I looked forward to footnotes. The writing is the type that appeals to me the most: snarky and clever. I love how there are many mysteries in the plot that each start off small and sometimes insignificant and build as the story progresses until they become something of a juggernaut, and are then slowly solved and dismantled, one at a time. The entire Princess Banana story line (including her parents' reaction to it) was hysterical. I did not love the level of machiavellian manipulation between family members. Nor did I love that the author lets bad things happen to good people, even though I freely admit the story wouldn't have been nearly as good any other way. The story line with Henry Stone gutted me. Gutted. me. The ending leads me to believe this is the last Spellman novel - or at least the last Isabel Spellman novel. It also is wide open enough that I can see a new spin-off series with Rae as the MC as a possibility in the future. I'd recommend all 6 of these books to anyone who loves - I mean really loves - snark. I'm still really gutted about Henry though...

These books never disappoint! Very enjoyable.

I liked the book, but I wish there had been more to it.

Book six in the Spellman Files series, about a dysfunctional family of private detectives. Overall, I really enjoy this series; there's a lot of wacky humor, but also some actual character development and a few well-done moments of seriousness and genuine familial emotion in among all the hijinks.I thought this was supposed to be the last book in the series, and it's entirely possible that it is, but the ending seems to suggest that there may be more to come, and that this is only the last one with Izzy Spellman as the narrator. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.Anyway. I found this one enjoyable enough, with a fair number of funny moments, but somehow it wasn't quite as engaging for me as most of the previous volumes. I think some of that might be my fault, as I may have gone into it with my expectations a little too high, thinking of it as the grand finale of the series. I also may not have been in quite the right mood for something this light and humorous; I only read it now because I was eager to get to it, and because I wanted to finish it so I could lend it to a friend. I don't think that's the entire reason, though. I think some of it is that, for most of the book, Izzy isn't interacting much with her parents (who are avoiding her), Henry (who she is avoiding) or her sister Rae (who is up to her usual crazy antics, but whose exchanges with Izzy are mostly short and functional). And those are the people she usually has the funnest conversations with! Fortunately, it gets better in that respect by the end, and finishes fairly strong.

The zany Spellman family is at it again, this time with some unexpected twists and turns.The new twists in the ending gives m something to look forward to.

The 6th (and maybe last!) novel of the Spellman series, finds everyone in the Spellman clan is in an uproar because of Isabel’s hostile takeover of Spellman investigations. Izzy’s parents are showing up to work in their pajamas, her sister Rae has created a side business for herself and Izzy’s niece Sydney is terrorizing everyone. Meanwhile, Izzy is helping client Edward Slayter hide his Alzheimer’s, but it’s clear someone is determined to get him kicked out as CEO, and that someone is trying to frame Izzy for embezzlement as part of the scheme. There is an air of sadness around this book, there are many changes that coming to the Spellman family. The novel is also about characters moving on—including Henry, Rae and Isabel. As always, some of the bests parts of the novel are Izzy’s office memos and footnotes. 4 out of 5 stars (mainly because I love this family!)

I have not read many books in this series. However I am familiar with the Spellmans. I admit that I had forgotten how funny the Spellmans and author, Lisa Lutz can be. After reading this book, I will not forget again and will read more books about the Spellmans. I can not pick one favorite as they are all dysfunctional but in a good way. However I have to say that my favorite scenes were when Izzy sent out her memos and her parents rebelled. For example:Memo:To All Spellman Employees:Pants are mandatory,Footwear is encouraged.Signed, The ManagementThe next scene is Izzy's father wanting into the office wearing boxer shorts, a wife-beater, and a cardigan that had been feasted on by a hungry moth, all the while eating oatmeal. He then goes to his deak to play a two hour game of Plants vs. Zombies. (Ha-ha, I tried this game, yes it is a real game. It is so horribly boring and can not really be called a game that I don't know anyone besides Izzy's father that can sit and just play the game non-stop.)Next Izzy's mother walks into the room wearing a housecoat with daisies on it and curlers in her hair. The footnotes are just a funny. The case that Izzy had to solve was a good one.

I fell in love with this series a long time ago. I've been such a fan of Lisa Lutz and the Spellmans that for me she can do no wrong. However, that doesn't mean that the books are as funny as they once were. Don't get me wrong, I still had laugh out loud moments, but not as many as I used to. As Izzy has matured, her antics have become less insane. This is expected and I'm glad that in this book she has her act together. She's not as single-minded as she previously was and I really liked how she was more grounded.These books are funny, but they're also really emotionally complex. While reading about Izzy's efforts to become a well-functioning adult, it forces you to question what it means to be one. I think Izzy's emotional journey ends with this book, but I know this series is going to continue from the point of view of another family member. It seems like a good idea because it will most likely reboot the series to be as hilarious as it once was.Still love this series and can't wait for the next book!

Too cute for me.

I can’t believe that I missed this whole series until the last book! Even without having read the others ahead of it, this book does well as a standalone book. In the back of the book is an appendix with a description of each character. But I didn’t need that. Lisa Lutz does a remarkable job of writing humor in “The Last Word”. I spent a good part of my time explaining to my husband why I was laughing loud.Izzy or Isabel Spellman is the narrator and when the story opens has so much trouble with getting her parents to dress for work. I am not talking about suits and fancy clothes but Izzy’s father shows up wearing box shorts and some kind of tee shirt. His mother arrives wearing her hair in plastic curlers and a flowered house coat. Never mind that her father has to play “Plants and Zombies for two hours before starting work. I got a clear picture of that scene because I have played the game myself but I dropped out, I got bored with the game. Izzy’s parents are registering their dismay because Isabel recently took charge of the company. It’s a long story.More than the mysteries in the story, I really loved the characters. There is the mean nasty Princess Banana, Izzy’s niece who seems to be on her way to becoming the ruling tyrant of the world. Demetrius Merriweather who spent fifteen years in prison for a crime that he didn’t do. He is a wonderful cook and I am very disappointed that I didn’t get to eat his muffins. The mystery part of the book was interesting as well but it is the characters that really hook you and make you want to read more. Now I am wondering if this is the last book of series will the author start a new funny series. I hope so!I highly recommend this book to all people who love quirky characters and mysteries. I received this book as a win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.

recommended for:read the 1st 5 books & then: all readers who enjoy quirky, funny, character driven novelsLisa Lutz is becoming like Sue Grafton to me, as each new book feels like settling into a comfortable and familiar place, and in Lutz’s case, a really amusing one.Unfortunately, Lisa no longer lives in San Francisco, but thankfully the Spellmans still do.I wasn’t expecting that, on the 2nd to last page (do NOT look ahead!) but it makes 100% sense to me. By the way, speaking of not looking ahead: About 1/3 the way through the book I did read the appendix. After all, us readers keep getting invited to do that, so I usually do it sometime as I'm still reading, and this time I saw something I might rather not have seen (a spoiler.) I was fine with what's was coming though. But, my advice is (for this book) to not accept the frequent invitations to read the appendix before you finish reading the book.I think this might be my favorite Spellman book, though they all have their charms. It’s wonderful to read a series where the books actually improve rather than deteriorate. What was so unique remains so clever and still feels fresh and just as funny and heartfelt as ever. I love the characters, both the old and some of the new.I love that I was taken by surprise at times, which was really fun. And, even more than most series, readers HAVE to read these books in order in order to get the characters and fully appreciate them. Well, maybe not every reader does, but it’s imperative for me.I love this author and this series. I found this book so satisfying. It was a perfect comfort read for me. I laughed and smiled a lot, and felt deeply too. I can’t wait for the next one. There had better be a next one.If you’re a reader who enjoys reading about unique dysfunctional families, and you like really quirky, very humorous novels, I highly recommend these books.

NOTE: This review originally appeared in CRIMESPREE MAGAZINESimon & SchusterPub date: July 9, 2013Meet Isabel Spellman: chief shareholder and newly minted president of Spellman Investigations, a/k/a the boss. Unfortunately for Izzy, though, being in charge isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Her parents (who make up 50% of her staff) are not only actively rebelling against her hostile takeover, but also appear to be hiding something major from her and her siblings. Someone is staging a rather successful corporate coup against her biggest client. Her sister Rae may or may not be involved in some sort of secret criminal enterprise. And persons unknown are attempting to frame Izzy for embezzlement.Izzy’s always been a loner, but even she’s forced to admit that this is one storm she’s incapable of weathering alone. Can the notoriously vindictive Spellman clan let bygones be bygones and band together to help save their foundering family business, or are they finally discontent enough to let Izzy go down with the ship?At once smart, funny, poignant, and profound, I’m fairly certain The Last Word is the best thing Lisa Lutz has ever written. The plot is clever, the pace is quick, and to a one, her characters are fully fleshed, fabulously entertaining, and larger than life. (Izzy’s tyrannical three-year-old niece is maybe my favorite toddler ever, fictional or otherwise.) Lutz’s dialogue is witty and sharp. The interpersonal relationships she creates between her characters are wonderfully nuanced and ring 100% true. (I especially adore the sweetly antagonistic exchanges between Izzy and her elderly client-slash-benefactor, Edward.) And Lutz’s narrative style is among the most compelling I’ve ever read. Snarky and digressive, yet still surprisingly graceful, Lutz’s storytelling isn’t always linear, but, then, the most enjoyable rides never are.The Last Word will make you laugh, it’ll make you cry, and it’ll make you feel wiser for having read it. It’s the kind of book you should play hooky to read so that you can savor it in solitude while drinking booze and/or eating ice cream in your pajamas. It’s the kind of book you fall in love with on page one and hope will never end, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll go out and buy yourself a copy right now. I think you’ve earned it – don’t you?

Although I wouldn't have minded document 4 being the last word, I'm glad Lutz has continued with these character through an additional couple of works. The beleaguered Izzy Spellman is the boss of Spellman Investigations, after the events of document 5. Chaos reigns as those clever, passive aggressive family members choose to do as little as possible, whenever they want. Izzy finds some satisfaction by helping her wealthy employer Edward Slayter with both hiding a disease and figuring out who is out to get him. Small cameos by previous characters round out the story, as do a few new characters, including a playmate for Sydney, who is exhibiting a new generation of Spellman tendencies.

What good is a hostile takeover if your employees just stop working? It’s even worse when said employees are your parents. Poor Izzy has nothing but problems in this latest installment of this marvelous series. Between her rebelling parents, her tyrannical niece, and her secretive sister, it’s a wonder she has any time left to manage her business. A major client has Alzheimer’s and he is trying to hide that condition for as long as possible, with Izzy’s help, even as she is being framed for embezzlement from his company. With all that goes wrong, it’s hard to believe that this book could contain so much humor, but it does. Lisa Lutz does a masterful job in balancing mystery with intrigue and laughs. Pure entertainment.

I have maintained in the past that sustaining the humor in a humorous mystery is one of the most difficultLastWord things to do, especially when the first volume was laugh-out-loud funny. Unfortunately, Lisa Lutz’s Last Word: A Spellman Novel did not live up to its predecessors. (Not that it was a bad book. It just didn’t live up to the standard set by the first book in the series.) The thing about the Spellmans is their quirkiness and while they still are quirky, something was lost.As usual in a Spellman novel, the most fun is had when the family interacts, spies on each other, keeps secrets, bribes each other and there is a bunch of that going on. Isabel’s ex-boyfriend, Henry, takes a back seat in this novel, which saddened me. I liked him as a character. Actually, as I think about this, the funniest character is Isabel’s niece Sydney, aka Banana, who is somewhere between 2 and 4 years old, according to the opening pages. If that’s who you have to rely on for laughs, well…..The ‘mysteries’ are not overwhelmingly exciting. As usual, there are several going on.If you want a nice, mindless beach read, I’d suggest the Spellman series…no hesitation. Don’t get me wrong. If Lisa Lutz publishes another Spellman book, I’ll be on line to get my copy, but my expectations will be somewhat lower. Based on the ending of the book, I wonder whether this will indeed be the last word. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

If this is the last word from Izzy Spellman, she's going out on a high note. Just as funny as the previous 5 in the series.